washing with hard water

[Cameron's Mommy]

I have leaking issues with my pocket diapers, which we just use during the night (fitted or prefolds during the day). I tried stripping them, running through wash four times with just hot water. and last night my sons back was all wet five nminutes after the 1:00 am change! I was ready to use disposables last night! We got away without changing during the night at all for a couple months, now i'm spoiled! he sleeps in bed with me and I usually dont even wake up when I feed him.. and He actually gets really upset if I change him in the middle of the night! go fiure!
I was wondering if having hard water could be an issue. our water is hard from calcium. I use charlies soap.. anyone use charlies soap with hard water??, but i've also used arm and hammer essentials.. but I thought that was the problem.

[cristeen]

Try adding a vinegar rinse. Calcium dissolves in vinegar.

We have really hard water too, and I use Country Save with a vinegar rinse without problems, but I'm not using pockets.

[Galatea]

Is the insert sopping wet when he leaks? It might not be enough absorbency.

Are you sure the pocket fits around his legs? Are you stuffing it very thick (which would cause the leg openings to stand away from his body and leak)?

If neither of these things, you can add a capful of Calgon water softener to your hot wash to counteract the hard water.

[Cameron's Mommy]

thanks ladies, yeah I actually do use vinegar in my rinse cycle probably everyother washand even throw a small scoop of borax once in a while i don't know if the hard water is the problem... his inserts aren't soaked, just a tiny bit wet and the rest goes up his back of to his side and I make sure they are tight enough around his legs. I use pockets when we go out and there is never a problem with leaking then. i'm about to give up on the pocket diapers. I hear some mamas saying they just use fitteds or prefolds at night.. i'm just wondering how that works, I would hate to think that his little bum would be wet all night. I mean I have wool longies and soaker shorts but he will still be wet against his skin right?? we have fleece liners but they just keep him dry in that small spot and then around his waist its soaked!

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by Cameron's Mommy

thanks ladies, yeah I actually do use vinegar in my rinse cycle probably everyother washand even throw a small scoop of borax once in a while i don't know if the hard water is the problem... his inserts aren't soaked, just a tiny bit wet and the rest goes up his back of to his side and I make sure they are tight enough around his legs. I use pockets when we go out and there is never a problem with leaking then. i'm about to give up on the pocket diapers. I hear some mamas saying they just use fitteds or prefolds at night.. i'm just wondering how that works, I would hate to think that his little bum would be wet all night. I mean I have wool longies and soaker shorts but he will still be wet against his skin right?? we have fleece liners but they just keep him dry in that small spot and then around his waist its soaked!

You might like the GAD semi-fitted - it is completely fleece on the inside, and then a layer of hemp on the outside, and you stuff the pocket opening with however much absorbency you need. It's an awesome night-time solution for pocket-lovers.